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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Comparisons / Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Comparisons / Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

The Sony DCR-DVD508 comes equipped with Sony’s top imager this year, the 1/2.9-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor, slightly larger than last year’s 1/3-inch CMOS, which has been moved down the line to the penultimate model, the DCR-DVD408. The 1/2.9-inch CMOS has a gross pixel count of 3,200,000 (compared to the 1/3-inch CMOS with a gross pixel count of 2,100,000). The effective pixel count of the DCR-DVD508 when shooting in 16:9 is 2,280,000; in 4:3 the effective pixel count is 1,710,000.

In short, this is a solid performer for a standard definition DVD camcorder— among the best, in fact. Color performance is essentially identical to last year’s DCR-DVD505. The color balance is even across the spectrum, with a healthy amount of saturation. Lower-end Sony camcorders tend to push the saturation too high. The difference between this year and last is the sharpness. The pixel count has increased considerably, boosting resolution. The image this year is noticeably crisper.

In casual shooting, we found the basic performance to be more than satisfactory. True, standard definition looks a little more disappointing with each passing day, but the DCR-DVD508 will serve you well as a vacation/birthday/holiday camcorder – typically what a DVD camcorder is destined to do. As we’ll get into a little later, the auto white balance could push the image too warm, but a simple manual white balance can fix that.

There are two primary competitors: the Canon DC50 and the Panasonic VDR-D310. The Canon DC50 produced a deeper, richer looking image than the Sony by pushing the contrasts a little harder and saturating the reds a bit more. However, the Canon DC50 showed higher noise levels, even at this bright light level. The Panasonic VDR-D310 was not able to achieve the sharpness of either the Sony DCR-DVD508 or the Canon DC50. The colors were also less saturated. Of course, they were more accurate, but that often gets overlooked by consumers preferring bold color.

Overall, we liked this camcorder’s performance in bright light a great deal.

Video Resolution* (5.25)*

We tested the video resolution by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even 3000 lux, then looking at the recorded footage on an HD monitor. Resolution is measured in line widths per picture height (lw/ph). This test measures the resolution of the final recorded image rather than the resolution of the imaging chip that manufacturers like to advertise.

The Sony DCR-DVD508 was able to produce an approximate horizontal resolution of 350 lw/ph and a vertical resolution of 300 lw/ph. This score is on par with other camcorders in its class.

Low Light Performance* (6.35)*

To test low light performance, we first shoot our trusty DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chip chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux. At 60 lux, we were disappointed to see a steep increase in noise. Fuzzy, fuzzy, fuzzy. Sony’s track record this year in low light has erred on the side of noise, but this is worse than usual, especially for the price range and position in the product line. The problem is the upgraded imager, which has far more pixels than last year’s imager. Though they have increased the overall size of the chip to accommodate some of that increase, that increase in size was only 3.45 percent, while the increase in pixels was a whopping 52 percent. That means those individual pixels got a whole lot smaller, which accounts for the increase in noise.

It’s amazing to us that camcorder and camera manufacturers can’t see the error of their ways. Every year, it seems they push the pixel count up in order to impress consumers, while image quality suffers. Thankfully, the next model down, the DCR-DVD408, inherited last year’s 1/3-inch CMOS sensor, which avoided a lot of these problems.

The color performance in the DCR-DVD508 at 60 lux is about the same as last year’s DCR-DVD505. The noise levels kill the DCR-DVD508, however. The Canon DC50 did not expose as brightly and had its own noise issues, but not nearly as bad as the DVD508. The Panasonic VDR-D310 has three smaller CCDs, rather than the single large chip in the Canon and the Sony. As a result, the low light performance suffered. The image was much darker and lost a lot of color information compared to the 3000 lux image.

At 15 lux, the DCR-DVD508 produced a terrible image that lost quite a bit of color and was simply awash with noise. Last year’s DCR-DVD505 was slightly better, at least in terms of noise. The DC50 was right on par with the DVD505. The Panasonic VDR-D310 was completely unusable.

The second part of the test determines sensitivity. We lower the lighting at a steady, even pace, monitoring the IRE levels (an exposure value) until the camcorder can produce a peak 50 IRE. The DCR-DVD508 performed admirably in this regard, able to drop down as low as 9 lux.

Finally, we shoot the GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart at 60 lux, then run frames through Imatest imaging software to ascertain color accuracy, noise, and saturation. The DCR-DVD508 produced a color error of 11.2, which is fair to average. The noise level was high, at 1.4025 percent, with a saturation of 72.18 percent.

Overall, we were disappointed with the DCR-DVD508’s low light performance. The noise levels were a bad surprise compared to the top Sony DVD camcorders of years past.

Stabilization* (8.23)*

We tested the effectiveness of the DCR-DVD508’s SteadyShot optical image stabilization (OIS) using our custom built camcorder shake emulator. The DCR-DVD508 was set to Auto mode with the LCD flipped out for this test. Two speeds were used to gauge the versatility of the OIS. Speed one is tantamount to a casual stroll down the sidewalk, while Speed Two is more along the lines of a bumpy car ride or light jog.

The DCR-DVD508 churned a very respectable image stabilization performance with an 82.5 percent shake reduction at Speed One and an 81.8 percent shake reduction at Speed Two, proving the most consistent image stabilization we’ve seen all year.

Wide Angle* (10.0)*

We measured the DCR-DVD508’s maximum field of view by using a vertical laser. The camcorder was placed on a tripod with the zoom pulled back fully, the LCD flipped out, and OIS turned off. The DCR-DVD508 produced a maximum field of view of 50 degrees, which is on the high end of the consumer scale and identical to its predecessor, the DCR-DVD505.

 

 

 

 

Format

Compression* (4.0)*

The Sony DCR-DVD508 compresses files in the usual standard definition DVD format, MPEG-2. The MPEG-2 format has been around for a long time, and similar versions of it are used in most hard disk drive and flash memory camcorders, as well. Though they all use the same basic compression, manufacturers output the video files in various formats. The DVD508 outputs MPEG-2 files, but they do not enjoy the smooth transfer from camcorder-to-computer that Sony’s HDD camcorders have. The problem is the file structure conforms to standard DVD architecture, with multiple files per clip. If you copy and paste individual movie files from the disc, some software will be able to play it back, but most will not. You’re better off using the in-the-box software to import clips.

The camcorder offers three quality settings, each corresponding to a data bit rate. The highest quality setting, HQ, records in 9 Mbps. SP records in 6 Mbps, and LP records in 3 Mbps. The lower the quality, the more video you can fit on a disc, but we recommend always shooting the best video possible. If something is worth shooting, it’s worth shooting well.

On a single-sided DVD, the XP quality can fit 20 minutes of video; in SP, 30 minutes; in LP, 60 minutes. Dual layer can fit a little less than twice those capacities.

Media* (4.5)*

The Sony DCR-DVD508 records video to 8 centimeter DVDs, sometimes called miniDVDs, in four varieties: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-R DL (Dual Layer). DVD-Rs are the cheapest and most widely available, but are one-time use only. Their meager 20 minutes of storage leave a lot to be desired, especially compared to hard disk drive camcorders that typically offer hours and hours of shooting, or tape, which can fit 60 or 90 minutes. Dual layer discs have a higher capacity, but not by much.

DVD camcorders are marketed primarily at families and the ease-of-use crowd because discs can be popped out of the camcorder and directly in the home DVD player – inherent simplicity. However, DVDs are not always great archival solutions. Only when properly stored in a cool, dry place can they be expected to last for several years. In less than optimal conditions, they can degrade more quickly. And unlike tape, where a bad section does not affect the rest of the footage, a degraded DVD is completely destroyed.

Editing* (6.0)*

Editing the DCR-DVD508’s files is relatively easy, if you have an updated editing platform. At one time, and not long ago, all MiniDV tape camcorders were guaranteed to work with most software. With the popularity of DVD, however, software manufacturers have caught up and offered better tools for importing DVD files.

The camcorder ships with Picture Motion Browser v.2.0.03, a very limited editing program that allows you to import clips and photos from the camcorder. You can insert basic in and out points and stitch clips together into MPEG-2 movies, then export them to a DVD. This is among the most basic in-the-box software you’ll find in a camcorder of this price and class.

The Import function on the Picture Motion Browser

*The very limited video editing function *

*

The DVD creation tool*

 

 

 

 

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (7.0)

The Sony DCR-DVD508, like most Sonys, once again showed excellent auto responses in most conditions. The auto exposure is based on a smart evaluative model, which considers the entire image and adjusts accordingly. In complex shots with lots of highlights and shadows, the exposure adjusts incrementally and smoothly as the camcorder drifts around.

The auto white balance sometimes tends to push the image toward the warm, which generally improves skin tones. It did not veer as far as the JVC GZ-HD3 or GZ-HD7, which was excessive. We prefer an accurate balance, which can be achieved by performing a manual white balance.

The auto exposure is decent, but this was the area where we found ourselves using the manual controls most frequently. When a smaller object was placed in the center of the frame and background was on a different plane of focus, it tended to focus on the much larger background. Unfortunately, there is no way to change the auto exposure method (such as options for Evaluative, Center-Weighted, and Spot auto focus, which can be found on some camcorders).

Also included in the camcorder are a host of one-touch controls that allow for very simple manipulation of image quality without having to understand the principles of photography. Think of them as manual controls with training wheels. Two of them are Sony-specialties you won’t find anywhere else. Spot Focus and Spot Meter are both located in the Camera menu. When activated, a frame appears around most of the picture on the LCD. You simply touch the area of the screen you want either focused or exposed.

The camcorder has a series of AE modes, called Scene Selection in the Camera menu. Settings include Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, and Snow.

*

Overall Manual Control (5.0)*

Despite being the top standard definition camcorder in Sony’s line, the manual control set is not particularly robust. Sony has strong feelings about how to distinguish its consumer product line from its professional line. It restricts advanced controls like aperture and gain from the consumer, and very rarely include shutter speed (only the HDV camcorders have shutter speed this year). Of course, Sony does a good job of packing in a few one-touch controls, described above, that allow the shooter to have a little control over image quality.

There are a couple of actual manual controls on the DCR-DVD508, but they are of middle quality. The best is probably exposure, which is effective and easy to use. White balance is relatively simple and adjusts quickly. The worst control is focus, mostly due to the fact that the operation is done entirely with the touch screen. The screen is cluttered with icons and fingerprints that obscure your view.

Overall, the manual control package certainly could have been improved by an interface other than the touch screen. Many of the high definition models feature a scroll wheel or dial to help with focus and other controls. It would have been nice to see it on Sony's top model in this class.

Zoom (5.0)

The DCR-DVD508 has a low-profile zoom toggle located on the top of the body toward the right rear, placed for use with the index finger. A slightly larger toggle would have been preferable, because as it is, part of your finger slides across the surrounding plastic. With the built-in microphone so close, it’s bound to pick up some of that sound from time to time.

Sony did a great job with the pressure sensitivity of this toggle. At a light touch, you can get a very slow, controlled crawl all the way across the 10x optical. This is certainly more useful for budget amateurs than a camcorder like the JVC GZ-HD3, which only has a crawl from 1x to 3x, then speeds up. The Sony DVD508’s fastest zoom is quite fast, taking only 2 seconds to move from one end to the other. In all, we were able to achieve three distinct speeds. Of course, the best option is what Canon offers, a great variable speed zoom like this, plus the ability to fix the zoom speed to fast, medium, or slow.

Zoom Power Ratio (10.0)

The Sony DCR-DVD508 has an optical zoom of 10x, the standard for most high-end consumer camcorders. Why isn’t it higher if you’re paying so much, and why do cheaper camcorders have a bigger zoom? The answer has to do with some basic optical laws. In these compact devices, the size of zoom is relative to the size of the imaging chip. Trust us, you’d rather have a big imager than a big zoom. Anything past 10x and a tripod is pretty much required.

Amazingly, Sony decided to cap the digital zoom at 20x. Normally, manufacturers try to sucker consumers by slapping on ridiculous digital zooms, sometimes as high 1200x. By limiting it to 20x, you’re only blowing up the pixels to twice their normal size. Considering the native resolution of this CMOS chip, that’s not too destructive to the image.

Focus (3.5)

The manual focus is by far the weakest control on the Sony DCR-DVD508, as well as pretty much every Sony that relies on a touch screen. A look at the screenshot below indicates at least part of the problem. Once engaged (via the Camera menu), the screen becomes incredibly cluttered with graphics and icons. It looks like CNN during their graphic designers’ days of worst excess. A good portion of the time, we couldn’t even see what it was we were trying to focus on.

The second problem is that the LCD is only 2.7-inches with a resolution of 211,000 pixels. While this is good for a camcorder, it’s still not enough to get a sense of true focus, especially when shooting in low light or outdoors.

The third problem is all that touching on the screen adds an ever-growing layer of finger grease, reducing visibility even further. When a glare comes across the screen, there’s no chance of manually focusing.

Any camcorder that uses a joystick – Panasonic, Canon, and JVC, primarily – has an advantage over Sony in this regard. The best of the high definition Sony camcorders this year all include a dial on the side of the lens barrel that allows for much better focus control.

Exposure & Aperture (4.5)

The exposure control is located on the second page of the Camera menu. When activated, the camcorder has the same problem as the manual focus – the screen becomes too cluttered with graphics. However, it’s a little easier to gauge exposure without seeing everything in the shot than it is to focus.

The manual Exposure in action

To adjust exposure, tap the plus and minus buttons until the picture looks properly exposed. In all, there are 33 increments. The only way to tell where in the exposure range you are is to look at the cursor on the progress bar. A numerical value of the increments would have been helpful. If you’re not sure how to properly adjust for exposure, try engaging the zebra patterns, found in the Movie Settings section of the Home menu.

The DVD508 does not offer direct control of the aperture.

Shutter Speed (0.0)

The Sony DCR-DVD508 has no shutter control, which is a real shame for the top model in any category. Nearly all camcorders from other manufacturers include a Shutter Priority mode. Panasonics include independent aperture and shutter.

There are two Auto settings for shutter that can help in low light. The Auto Slow Shutter control, located in the Movie Settings section of the Home menu, allows the auto shutter speed to drop from its normal 1/60 to 1/30 of a second.

The Color Slow Shutter option is located in a different part of the menu entirely. You can find it in the third page of the Camera menu. It’s much more severe than the Auto Slow Shutter. When engaged, it allows the shutter to drop considerably lower. The manual does not state how low, but we estimate it to be somewhere between 1/2 and 1/4 of a second.

White Balance (5.5)

The white balance options are located in the third page of the Camera menu. In addition to the Auto setting, the Sony DCR-DVD508 includes Indoor, Outdoor, and One Push (Manual) settings. Making a manual white balance adjustment is as simple as tapping the One Push button, then the button below it with the internationally recognized white balance icon. We found the manual adjustment to be very accurate in most lighting conditions.

The White Balance submenu

Gain (0.0)

There is no manual gain setting on the Sony DCR-DVD508. Only Panasonic camcorders offer this option in its consumer line.

Other Manual Controls (3.0)
**Zebra Patterns
- When engaged, the zebra feature creates striped lines across any area of the frame that is overexposed. There are two settings, 70 and 100. These numbers correspond to the IRE level (an exposure value) at which you want the lines appear.

Guideframes - When this option is engaged, a pair of horizontal lines vertical lines appears, creating a 9-grid pattern to help you set up your shots with the "rule of thirds." These lines do not get recorded onto your final footage. Canon and Panasonic both offer this feature with more variations, like changing the number or the color of the lines.

Tele Macro - The Tele Macro feature helps with focusing on small, detailed objects. We did not find it all that helpful.

 

 

 

 

Still Features

Still Features* (8.5)*

The highlight of the DCR-DVD508’s still feature set is that it can capture stills up to 6.1 megapixels (2848 x 2136) in size, in addition to 3.1 megapixels (2048 x 1536) and VGA (640 x 480) in Fine or Normal quality. Images can only be recorded to Memory Stick Pro or Pro Duo cards. The DCR-DVD508 is equipped with a flash mounted to the left side of the lens. The flash can be set to Normal, High, or Low brightness, and function in Auto or Manual mode. The only other still features on the DCR-DVD508 consist of a Red-Eye Reduction function and a 10-second Self-Timer. Though other models within this price range offer more still features, such as histograms and ISO settings, the DCR-DVD508 captures the largest images.

Still Performance* (7.95)*

The still performance of the Sony DCR-DVD508 was tested by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart and running the stills through Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation.

At best, the DCR-DVD508 was able to achieve a color error of 7.55, which is on the favorable side of average across the camcorders we’ve tested this year. Most of the error appears to be coming from oversaturation – completely expected for a Sony consumer camcorder. The noise was slightly higher than average at 1.72 percent. The saturation level measured 110.2 percent.

In order to get these best scores, we had to manually lower the exposure one increment. Though you’ll never see this on the camcorder, the EXIF data of each photo reveals the core data. In Auto mode, the camcorder was using a an f/3.4 aperture and a 1/60 shutter speed. When we lowered the exposure a single increment, the aperture closed to f/4.0.

In practice, the stills look good. You wouldn’t necessarily want to replace your dedicated still camera with the DCR-DVD508, but for a few casual shots, it should suffice.

Still Resolution* (25.28)*

In order to test the still resolution of the Sony DCR-DVD508, we shot an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart and ran those stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder was able to achieve an approximate horizontal resolution of 1377 line widths per picture height (lw/ph), with a clipping of 1.41 percent and an undersharpening of 14.0 percent — and a vertical resolution of 1221 lw/ph, with a 1.65 percent clipping and an undersharpening of 16.7 percent.

These scores are on par with the better camcorder/camera combo devices, usually those with large, single imagers like the Canon DC50, the Sony DCR-SR300, and the Sanyo VPC-HD2.

In order to get this best score, we had to increase the exposure by two increments. The EXIF data revealed that the Auto mode settings were a f/4.8 aperture and a 1/90 shutter speed. Raising the exposure two increments changed the aperture to f/4.0 and the shutter to 1/60.

 

 

 

 

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (8.0)*

Well, it’s a Sony, and you know what that means—EASY. The DCR-DVD508 is no different from any of its siblings and cousins. Easy mode places the camcorder in full autopilot. Menus and options dwindle and buttons grow in size. All the shooter has to do is hit record once to begin recording and once more to stop. Easy mode can be accessed via the Easy button located along the outer ridge of the LCD cavity or within the menu.

Even when you’re not in Easy mode, the DCR-DVD508 is easy to navigate. The DCR-DVD508 utilizes the latest generation of Sony menus. Buttons are laid out in a neat and organized fashion. There is also a Help feature, characterized by a "?" box. When the "?" box is pressed, every selected menu option is accompanied by a small informative screen, explaining what each feature does. You are then asked whether you would like to apply the selection or not by selecting "Yes" or "No." Sony will be the first to grab your hand and lead you through the daunting path of home movie-making.

On the other hand, making manual adjustments with any Sony is a royal pain because of that confounded touch screen. It’s bad enough that the LCD screen attains a smudgy haze, clouding everything you view, but the buttons are too small for an adult finger. Also, we found ourselves tapping the button multiple times to get a result. Note to Sony: a 2.7-inch wide LCD screen and the average consumer’s hand do not fare well together. We still mourn the loss of the whopping 3.5-inch screen found on the HDR-UX1 and SR1, in addition to MiniDV giants of yore. Panasonic and Canon offer superior manual control adjustment with rear-mounted joysticks.

While we’re at the barbeque, let’s grill the DVD format for a bit. The DCR-DVD508 can get a maximum 20 minutes out of one disc in the highest quality. For a full day’s worth of shooting, you’ll need to invest in a decent pack of discs. In addition, DVDs require formatting and finalizing—a process that can take up to 10 minutes at times. MiniDV/HDV tapes hold up 60 minutes in SP and do not have to be formatted. HDD camcorders require no external media and can store absurd amounts of footage in the highest quality. Also, if you drop or scratch a DVD, the footage is lost. Yes, DVD is the most annoying media out there.

Handling* (6.75)*

DVD camcorders typically feel large in hand—there’s no way around it. Manufacturers have to account for a big old disc hatch. When poorly integrated into the design, this can really put a damper on the right side’s grip. Take the Panasonic HDC-DX1, for example. Architecturally, that AVCHD behemoth is flawed in so many ways—one of which is an obscenely large disc hatch that towers over the left side of the camcorder. The tape hatch can come in handy, however, when well-integrated. Canon generally keeps its DVD camcorders slim and petite, relying on the disc hatch as the sole means of grip. The DC50 is one of the smallest top of the line standard definition DVD camcorders on the market.

The DCR-DVD508 falls between the gargantuan structuring of a Panasonic and the smaller Canons. It’s not too big and not too small. The DCR-DVD508 flaunts enough bulk to keep the camcorder steady during recording, yet it will not make your arm fall asleep during a long shoot. On top of that, the DCR-DVD508 is solidly built, utilizing rugged plastic and metal. The Canon DC50 is just a two-tone plastic dome with a deplorable viewfinder and flimsy port covers. Within this price range, Sony delivers the best construction.

When you first slip your hand into the DCR-DVD508, you’ll notice how ergonomically sound the camcorder feels. The fingers tend to gravitate toward the top ridge of the tall disc hatch. This camcorder is so broad that most pinkies will not even make it over to the top-mounted microphone, which will save you in the sound department.

Sony also chose to outfit the DCR-DVD508 with a viewfinder that flips up at a 45-degree angle. Oh, joyous day! How often do you see this anymore? Though it does not telescope out or offer an eye-soothing rubber cover, it’s better than the DC50’s snub nose stump of a plastic afterthought. The Panasonic VDR-D310’s viewfinder simply extends out and that’s it. Sony holds the title here.

One area in which the Canon DC50 and Panasonic VDR-310 excel over the DCR-DVD508 is manual control and menu interface. Both camcorders’ implementation of rear-mounted joysticks allow one-handed camcorder operation with rapid, accurate adjustment and navigation. The DCR-DVD508’s touch screen LCD is a major inhibitor for the advanced videographer. Not only will the screen smudge, but you’ll experience large doses of vexation while attempting to tap tiny buttons on a tiny screen. Last year’s DCR-DVD505 featured an enormous 3.5-inch LCD screen, which definitely helps the cause.

Menu* (6.5)*

Aside from the HDR-HC7, Sony is equipping all of its high-end consumer camcorders with the esteemed "Home" menu, first introduced in mid-2006. The Home menu echoes ease of use from miles away with its tabbed structure and touch screen navigation. In addition, the Home menu is the only menu we’ve found to offer soothing, mystical sounds. It’s not perfect, however. Our main gripe with the Home menu is that when you make a selection or press the "Back" button, you’re not sent back to the previous screen, but exited from the menu altogether. This is time consuming and will make manual control adjustment even more frustrating.

The menu structure is divided into two parts, the Camera menu and the Home menu. First, we’ll look at the Home menu, which contains most of the administrative functions and features you do not necessarily need close at hand.

To select the Home menu, press the Home button in the upper left corner. A screen appears containing five tabs lined along the bottom. A "?" button sits in the upper right corner. When pressed, menu selections are accompanied by a small descriptive box with the option to execute via "Yes" and "No" buttons. The "X," or "Return," button is located in the top left corner.

The Camera Menu

The Camera menu is accessed by pressing the Camera button in the lower right corner. This is the menu you’ll use for picture quality issues; exposure, color, and shutter controls are located here. The interface is structured like the Home menu.

In Photo mode, the Home menu is identical, but the Camera menu is slightly different. There are only four tabs—the first three are manual controls and the last tab contains Image Size, Quality, and Self-Timer settings.

Portability* (5.0)*

Picture an HDR-HC7 with a DVD disc hatch. That’s pretty much what the DCR-DVD508 amounts to in terms of size. It measures 70 x 87 x 145mm (2 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5 5/8-inches) with a weight of 590 grams (1 pound, 4 ounces). You’ll need a medium-sized camera bag with plenty of DVD discs. A backup battery is always a good idea, as well. If you plan on taking advantage of the DCR-DVD508’s 6.1-megapixel still image recording function, you’ll also want a high-capacity Memory Stick Duo or PRO Duo card. Beginning to see a financial trail here? Yes, DVD camcorders are expensive. HDD camcorders do not require tapes or discs, and images can be recorded directly to the hard drive. '

LCD and Viewfinder* (8.5)*

The DCR-DVD508 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a pixel count of 211,200. The LCD flips out 90 degrees from the camcorder’s body and rotates up to 270 degrees. The screen itself displays a crisp image, similar to most Sonys within its price range. Along the LCD panel, you’ll find a row of controls consisting of Record Start/Stop, Zoom Out, Zoom In, and Home. As stated earlier, touch screens are great for speed, but when it comes to exercising certain manual controls, particularly focus, the touch screen falls flat. Last year’s DCR-DVD505 featured a massive 3.5-inch LCD screen, which made it far easier to navigate through the menu and make selections. What’s the deal, Sony?

A rarity amongst consumer camcorders these days, the DCR-DVD508 features an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that extends upward. The viewfinder is constructed solely of plastic and does not extend outward, but we’ll take what we can get in this day and age. The dioptric adjuster is located on the bottom ridge of the eyecup.

**

Battery Life*** (10.1)
*The Sony DCR-DVD508 ships with the NP-FH60 battery, which juts out from the camcorder's rear profile by about one inch. We like the fact that the battery is rear-mounted and the viewfinder pivots up. Both allow for fatter, extended-life batteries.

Upon the announcement of the DCR-DVD508, Sony advertised the incredibly long life spans of its batteries - up to 5 hours. We're not sure what settings they were using to optimize the power consumption, because our tests showed the battery falling far short. We shot continuously in Auto mode with the LCD panel open. No buttons were pushed while shooting. When the disc needed changing, we removed the battery and used the DC power. In total, the battery lasted for 101 minutes and 31 seconds (1 hour, 41 minutes, and 31 seconds). This is, in fact, merely average compared to the competing camcorders, and hardly five hours. 

 

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (5.0)*

The DCR-DVD508 features a built-in 5.1 channel Surround Sound microphone mounted to the top. Since the camcorder is relatively bulky, you won’t have to worry about a finger obscuring the microphone. Audio options on the DCR-DVD508 are highly consumer—you have control over recording level: Normal (records sound at a fixed level), and Low (records sound at a variable level so sound is not too loud or soft). The DCR-DVD508 also has a hot proprietary accessory shoe that only accepts Sony products, so if you plan on throwing a boom microphone on top, you’d better find a Sony store. There are no mic or headphone jacks to be found on the DCR-DVD508, which means that shoe is your only hope.

The Panasonic HDC-SD1 and HDC-SD5 both feature mic jacks, zoom control, and audio level control. The JVC GZ-MG555 offers a mic jack. The Canon DC50 has nothing to offer in the audio department. All camcorders fall within the same price bracket. Would it be too much to add a little more meat to the DCR-DVD508’s audio, Sony?

Playback* (6.0)*

Playing back recorded video and stills is a snap. To activate the Playback menu, press the Playback button located along the outer ridge of the LCD cavity or the Playback button located on the bottom left corner of the LCD screen. When selected, a screen appears, similar to the Home menu. Along the bottom is a row of two large tabs (Video Playback and Photo Playback) bookended by two small tabs (Record Mode and Camera Menu). In Video mode, you cannot access the Camera menu from the Playback Screen—DVD camcorders have limited in-camera editing capabilities. A screen containing up to 12 icons at a time engulfs the Playback Screen. You can toggle between large and small icons by using the zoom lever. A vertical scroll bar is aligned to the left of the icons to browse through numerous pages.

To play back a clip, simply press on its corresponding icon and the clip will begin playing within the entirety of the LCD screen. An array of playback controls line the bottom and sides of the LCD screen: Stop, Rewind, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Camera (Volume, Data Code), and Next and Previous Clip. In Photo mode, playback controls consist of Previous Image, Start/Pause slide show, Next Clip, and Camera. The Camera menu contains Print, Data Code, Slide Show Set, and Delete options.

Connectivity* (6.0)*

There are a minimal number of ports on the DCR-DVD508, most of them found in the back. To the right of the battery is a rugged plastic port cover that houses the remote (LANC) jack and USB terminal. Below the battery is a hard plastic door that swings up after much struggling to reveal the A/V out and DC in terminals. The Memory Stick Duo slot lies within the LCD cavity and the hot accessory shoe (the Sony-branded "Active Interface Shoe") sits behind the microphone, sheltered by a thick plastic cover.

Overall, the placement of the ports and quality of the covers are great. It’s not fun having to route wires all the way from the front or within the LCD cavity. We could have used a mic and headphone jack, though—a Sony-only proprietary hot shoe just doesn’t cut it for better audio options.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Sony DCR-DVD508 ships with the following items:

-AC Adapter

-Power Cord

-A/V Cable -USB Cable

-Wireless Remote Commander

-NP-FH60 Rechargeable Battery Pack

This is a modest offering for a $900 camcorder. Sony doesn’t even include a disc. Stock up in bulk—those things can get expensive. Also, you’ll need a backup battery for long shoots.

Other Features* (3.0)*
*Smooth Slow Record - *This is one of the coolest features ever to be introduced within the consumer circuit. When Smooth Slow Record is activated, the DCR-DVD508 will capture three seconds of footage at 240 frames per second. What does that mean? True, buttery slow motion. The Smooth Slow Record function is advertised with a golfer in mid swing icon, but the possibilities are endless. Be warned that the image quality goes downhill when shooting in this mode.

*Super NightShot - *If you want to cast a greenish glow on everything you record, use Sony’s Super NightShot feature. In areas devoid of light, or with a 0 lux reading, the Super NightShot light uses the infrared light to emulate some of your favorite Internet clips.

Some wildlife caught with the Super NightShot mode

*Picture Effect(s) - *The DCR-DVD508 offers three Photoshop-esque filters: Sepia, Black & White, and Pastel.

*Digital Effects - *When you press the D. Effects button in the Camera menu, get ready for an extensive list of …wait a minute …all you get is an Old Movie effect. Lame. Nix the plurality, Sony.

*Display/Battery Info - *The remaining battery life can be monitored by pressing the Display/Battery Info button in the LCD cavity. A screen with a vertical bar graph appears, indicating the DCR-DVD508’s remaining battery life.

*Fader - *For dramatic cinematic transitions, the DCR-DVD508 allows you to fade in and out of clips. Choose between black or white.

*Backlight Compensation (BLC)- *The Backlight Compensation feature, or BLC, increases the overall exposure of the image to bring a subject more into light.

 

 

 

 

Comparisons / Conclusion

Comparison
Sony DCR-DVD505
The DCR-DVD505, last year’s top-of-the-line, is superior in many respects to the DCR-DVD508. The CMOS chip is incrementally smaller (1/3-inch versus 1/2.9-inch) and has a reduced resolution (2.1 megapixels versus 3.2 megapixels), but this pixel boost killed the DVD508 in low light. Last year’s DVD505 looked better in every way. The DVD505 also offers a much larger 3.5-inch LCD, which comes in handy with a touch screen interface.

The upgrades in this year’s DVD508 include higher still resolution, dual video/still recording, optical image stabilization, DVD+R DL compatibility, and a higher capacity battery. Of this list, only the optical image stabilization is of real value. Our testing found the system to be highly effective in curbing shake. If you can find a deal on the DVD505, buy it. If you plan to do a decent amount of shooting from a tripod or flat surface, buy it. If you plan on shooting in anything but perfect daylight, buy it. The DVD508 is a better bet for sports and daytime backyard shooting, where the stabilization can come in handy and the poor low light performance won’t have a chance to rear its ugly head.

Canon DC50
The DC50 is Canon’s top standard definition DVD camcorder for 2007. The performance in bright light was comparable with that of the Sony DCR-DVD508, while the low light was better. The DC50’s handling and menu interface is better, but the DVD508 has a sturdier construction. Sony also gets points for a better viewfinder and smarter battery placement. The manual control suite is very much in Canon’s favor, while the auto controls and ease of use are tied. Both camcorders have dismal audio offerings. Considering the typical use of a DVD camcorder, we have to pick the Sony DVD508 as the better choice.

Panasonic VDR-D310
The Panasonic VDR-D310 is also the top-end standard definition DVD camcorder in its line. Panasonic likes to equip its upper-tier models with three CCDs instead of a single large chip, which usually costs them points in low light performance. This time was no different. While the color performance and sharpness is great in low light, things fall apart when the lights dim. However, the Sony DVD508 felt apart for its own reasons in low light. Like most Panasonics, it dominates the competition in terms of manual controls, handling, menus, and feel. The VDR-D310 also matches the Sony DVD508’s optical image stabilization, and tops it with a mic jack. That said, the Sony is a better camcorder for beginners because of its simpler interface and better auto controls. This a question of the user’s experience. Those who have owned a camcorder before should opt for the Panasonic VDR-D310. Beginners, go with the Sony DVD508.

JVC GZ-MG555
We’re throwing JVC’s top-of-the-line standard definition HDD titan into the fray for those torn between media. The GZ-MG555 ($899.95 MSRP) records video and stills to a 30 GB hard drive, which stores up to 7 hours of footage in the highest quality. Yes, folks, it’s a hybrid. The DCR-DVD508 shoots to DVD discs that hold 20 minutes of footage in the highest quality. Right off the bat, the GZ-MG555 is looking fierce. Under the hood, it’s a close call in bright light. The DCR-DVD508 displays a sharp, natural image while the GZ-MG555 explodes with color and vibrancy. In low light, however, the GZ-MG555 takes the cake—it is able to retain a significant amount of information while staving off a respectable amount of noise. The DCR-DVD508 cannot compete.

What else do these camcorders bring to the table? The GZ-MG555 touts a mic jack, video light, external Program AE dial, and an LCD-mounted joystick. The DCR-DVD508 has a proprietary hot accessory shoe, extendable viewfinder, and that beloved Easy mode. It’s a close call, but the GZ-MG555 is more of a renaissance camcorder, while the DCR-DVD508 appeases the tech-savvy DVD-thirsting consumer. Stick with the GZ-MG555.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters

Easy mode alone is enough to spark the engine of most point-and-shooters. But add a touch screen LCD and DVD discs and the wheels of the minivan are burning rubber.

Budget Consumers

A $900 price tag is not friendly for a budget consumer. You can still find last year’s DCR-DVD505 online for less, and you’ll get a mammoth 3.5-inch LCD screen and better low light performance. Without sacrificing too many features, you can go for the Sony DCR-DVD308, Canon DC230, or Panasonic VDR-D230 at almost half the cost of the DCR-DVD508.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

The still feature set on the DCR-DVD508 is fairly limited, but you can capture images up to 6 megapixels in size. You cannot record video to a Memory Stick with the DCR-DVD508, so hybrid fans look elsewhere.

Gadget Freaks

It’s a standard definition DVD camcorder. Welcome to No-Frills Acres, gadget freaks.

Manual Control Freaks

Sony really hits it out of the park when it comes to automatic controls, but you’d be better off with a Panasonic or Canon for manual controls. 

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

DVD camcorders and pros blend like oil and water.

Conclusion

Sony has clearly taken a few missteps since last year, as evident in the DCR-DVD508. The "improved" CMOS sensor packs in so many pixels that the low light performance suffers from a tremendous amount of noise. What does a standard definition camcorder need with 3,200,000 pixels? If the response is "take better still photos," then I have to ask the follow-up question, "What kind of person wants to carry around a 3-megapixel still camera that weighs more than one pound?" Surely Sony’s R&D labs must have seen the effect the new imager was having on low light. Yet they released it anyway, thereby able to boost the precious megapixel count that never fails to woo consumers.

In addition to avoiding the noise problem, last year’s DCR-DVD505 also offered a much larger 3.5-inch LCD. The only concession Sony offers to these lamentable omissions is the upgrade to optical image stabilization – which performed quite well in testing.

We strongly recommend you consider the next step down from the DVD508, the DCR-DVD408, which is equipped with last year’s CMOS sensor. We’re hoping that side-steps the noise issues in low light. Sony remains the king of easy-to-use DVD camcorders, so it's recommended that beginners continue to look at Sony. Just don’t settle for the DVD508 simply because it’s the top-of-the-line, because then you’re playing right into the manufacturers hands. Constant vigilance, dear readers, constant vigilance!

 

 

 

Meet the tester

Michael Perlman

Michael Perlman

Editor

Michael Perlman is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

See all of Michael Perlman's reviews

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